Discover The Rolling Stones’ Unreleased ‘Victor Hugo’ (1985)

By Marcelo Sonaglioni on April 16, 2025

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Rolling Stones unreleased: Victor Hugo

*This is possibly the song which was later reworked as I Could Have Stood You Up for the Keith Richards’ Talk Is Cheap album, released in 1988
Written by: Jagger/Richards
Recorded: Pathé-Marconi Studios, Boulogne-Billancourt, France, Apr-June 1985 or RPM Studios, NYC, Aug. 1985 (Dirty Work sessions)
*Data taken from Martin Elliott’s book THE ROLLING STONES COMPLETE RECORDING SESSIONS 1962-2012

*Click for MORE ROLLING STONES SONGS 1962-PRESENT

The Story Behind The Rolling Stones’ ‘Victor Hugo’ and Its Evolution

Victor Hugo is a song that holds an intriguing backstory, especially considering its evolution into another iconic track. Initially recorded during two different sessions in 1985—first at Pathé-Marconi Studios in France and later at RPM Studios in New York—it is believed to have been reworked into I Could Have Stood You Up, a standout track from Keith Richards’ Talk Is Cheap album, released in 1988. The song’s journey from a Rolling Stones demo to a solo project for Richards is a testament to the creativity and ongoing collaboration within the band, even as they ventured into solo work.

While Victor Hugo never made it onto a full Stones album, its potential as a foundational piece for Richards’ later solo material cannot be overlooked. It showcases his knack for blending blues-rock with emotional depth, giving the song a rawness that evolved into a polished, definitive track on Talk Is Cheap. This evolution speaks to the versatility of both Richards as an artist and the creative freedom within the Stones during this transitional period.

From ‘Victor Hugo’ to ‘I Could Have Stood You Up‘

The transformation of Victor Hugo into I Could Have Stood You Up is a fascinating example of how songs can evolve and take on new lives over time. Written by Richards, Victor Hugo was part of a series of recordings that marked an experimental phase for the Stones. With Richards’ knack for blending blues and rock, the song was reworked into a solo piece, but traces of its original energy remain. Whether recorded in France or New York, the song captured the raw, emotional feel of that era.

Though Victor Hugo was never released as part of a full Stones album, it laid the groundwork for a later piece that would define Richards’ solo career. It’s another reminder of the creative forces at play during the 1980s, as the band members carved out their individual soundscapes while still maintaining their undeniable connection to each other.

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